Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2024)

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Homemade classic tuna noodle casserole, the quintessential American dish made from scratch and under $10 to make, the kids love it!

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (1)
Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna casserole is classic comfort food! The ingredients are simple – canned tuna, mushrooms, peas, noodles in a homemade creamy sauce (without canned soup) finished with toasted breadcrumbs. Keeping canned tuna on hand is a great way to whip up quick lunches and dinners like the classic Tuna Melt or Tuna Macaroni Salad.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2)

I love a bowl of this healthier tuna noodle recipe. Lots of recipes call for canned cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup. This recipe is made from scratch, with real ingredients, no canned soups and it’s so good.

Ingredients:

  • Noodles – for the noodles you can use no-yolk noodles, elbow pasta, penne pasta or brown rice pasta for gluten free
  • White Sauce – butter, onion, all purpose flour or gluten free flour mix, chicken broth and milk, plus optional sherry, for more flavor
  • Mushrooms – sliced baby bella mushrooms or white button mushrooms
  • Vegetables – Frozen petite peas or use peas and carrots
  • Canned Tuna – canned albacore or chunk light tuna in water, drained
  • Cheese – reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • Topping – whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh Parsley – for garnish

How to make homemade tuna casserole from scratch

  1. Cook noodles in a large pot if boiling salted water until al dente, or slightly under cooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.
  2. Melt the butter in a deep, large skillet. Add onions to the melted butter and cook on medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes onmedium-low heat
  4. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly spray 9 x 12 casserole with cooking spray.
  5. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined, increasing heat to medium andwhisking well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil.
  6. When boiling, add sherry, mushrooms and petite peas, adjust salt and pepper to taste and simmer on medium, mixing occasionallyuntil it thickens (about 7 to 9 minutes).
  7. Add drained tuna, stirring another minute.
  8. Remove from heat and add the reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese and mix well until it melts. Add the noodles to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.
  9. Pour the mixture into casserole and top with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray and top and bake for about 25 minutes.
  10. Place under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp (careful not to burn).

Variations

  • Veggies: You can easily adapt this with different vegetables, try it with frozen peas and carrots, broccoli, etc
  • Swap out canned tuna: If you don’t like tuna fish, you can use leftover chicken breast or salmon.
  • Noodles: Use whole wheat noodles or gluten-free in place of white noodles
  • Pasta: Elbow macaroni can be used in place of egg noodles
  • Add some minced garlic or garlic powder with the onions. Feel free to adjust salt and black pepper to your taste.
  • Optional Topping Ideas: Top with baked, crushed potato chips, french-fried onions or crushed ritz crackers in place of parmesan and panko.

Can you freeze a tuna casserole?

Yes, there’s two ways to freeze it. A make-ahead method which is great for a busy weeknight meal, or you can freeze the leftovers.

For the make-ahead method, prepare everything up to the point of baking in the baking dish. Once you’ve combined everything with the exception of the breadcrumbs and Parmesan, cover tight with plastic wrap, then foil and label it with the name and date. To cook, defrost in the refrigerator overnight, top with Parmesan and bread crumbs and bake.

Leftover, oven-baked tuna casserole can also be frozen. To do so transfer the leftovers to an airtight container then freeze. To cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat.

Is Tuna Casserole good the next day?

Yes, you can reheat tuna casserole the next day. For storage, refrigerate in an airtight containter up to 4 days.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (3)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (4)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (5)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (6)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (7)

More Canned Tuna Recipes:

  • Chickpea Tuna Salad
  • Tuna Lettuce Wraps with Avocado Yogurt Dressing
  • Canned Tuna Ceviche
  • Tuna Macaroni Salad
  • Italian Tuna and Brown Rice Salad

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (8)

Tuna Noodle Casserole

4.74 from 180 votes

8

Cals:318

Protein:27.3

Carbs:34.3

Fat:7

Tuna casserole, the quintessential American dish. Perfect for potlucks and under $10 to make. Made with canned tuna, mushrooms, peas and noodles in a creamy sauce (and no canned soup) finished with toasted breadcrumbs – so good!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 /6th of casserole

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces no-yolk noodles, or egg noodles of choice
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium onion, minced fine
  • 3 tbsp flour, or gluten free flour
  • 1 3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
  • 1 cup 1% milk
  • 1 ounce sherry, optional
  • 10 ounces sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 cup frozen petite peas, thawed
  • 2 5 oz cans tuna in water, drained (I used albacore)
  • 4 ounces 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar, such as Cabot
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
  • fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, or slightly undercooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.

  • Melt the butter in a large deep skillet. Add onions and cook on medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly spray 9 x 12 casserole with butter flavored cooking spray.

  • Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined, increasing heat to medium and whisking well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil.

  • When boiling, add sherry, mushrooms and petite peas, adjust salt and pepper to taste and simmer on medium, mixing occasionally until it thickens (about 7 to 9 minutes).

  • Add drained tuna, stirring another minute.

  • Remove from heat and add the reduced fat sharp cheddar and mix well until it melts. Add the noodles to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.

  • Pour into casserole and sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray and top and bake for about 25 minutes.

  • Place under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp (careful not to burn).

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 /6th of casserole, Calories: 318 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34.3 g, Protein: 27.3 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 34 mg, Sodium: 660 mg, Fiber: 3.6 g, Sugar: 6 g

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Categories:

  • Budget Friendly Meals
  • Casseroles
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Fish Recipes
  • Freezer Meals
  • Gluten Free
  • Kid Friendly
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes
Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the list of ingredients for tuna noodle casserole? ›

Use 2 cans soup, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup pimiento, two 12-ounce cans tuna, 6 ounces (about 4 cups) egg noodles, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter. Bake in a 2-quart casserole for 30 minutes or until hot, then for another 5 to brown the bread crumb mixture.

Why is my tuna casserole so dry? ›

A possible reason for this is that you added too much pasta or not enough liquid. The pasta absorbs liquid, so you should use a generous amount of sauce to keep the dish moist. Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking.

How many calories in a cup of homemade tuna noodle casserole? ›

Tuna Noodle Casserole With Vegetables And (mushroom) Soup (1 cup) contains 32.5g total carbs, 30.3g net carbs, 15.6g fat, 24.6g protein, and 372 calories.

How do you moisten leftover tuna casserole? ›

Alternatively, Foods Guy recommends adding a splash of water or chicken stock to your casserole and covering it with plastic wrap before microwaving, which will add new moisture and lock in the steam, ensuring a perfectly moist reheated tuna casserole.

What is the main ingredient in a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

Do you cook noodles before adding to casserole? ›

Do you cook the noodles before adding them to the casserole? Yes, you should cook the egg noodles until they're al dente before combining with the other ingredients.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Tuna casserole is thickened by making a roux out of butter, olive oil and flour, then whisking in milk and chicken broth. The sauce is simmered until thickened to desired consistency. The sauce will reduce and thicken as it simmers, so for a thicker sauce, simply simmer longer.

Can you freeze cooked Tuna Noodle Casserole? ›

Lastly, you can freeze cooked tuna casserole if you cannot eat it within 3-4 days. Whether it's fresh out of the oven or leftovers, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If straight from the oven, allow it to cool completely before sealing it so it doesn't continue to cook.

How much protein is in a bowl of tuna pasta? ›

Nutrition Information
NutrientsAmount
Protein18 g
Vitamin D1 mcg
Calcium53 mg
Iron3 mg
10 more rows

Can I eat tuna casserole that was left out overnight? ›

Keep food cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice or use small serving trays and replace them often. Discard any cold leftovers that have been left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F).

How many days is tuna noodle casserole good for in the refrigerator? ›

Store your leftover tuna noodle casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or in the microwave.

Why is tuna noodle casserole dry? ›

The pasta absorbs liquid, so you should use a generous amount of sauce to keep the dish moist. Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking. Even if it turns out perfect when you first cook it, it may still dry out when you reheat it. Luckily, these mistakes are quite easy to fix.

What are the main ingredients in canned tuna? ›

Finally, despite being canned, many brands of canned tuna are minimally processed, containing only tuna, water or oil, and salt. Some brands may also add seasonings or broth for extra flavor. Canned tuna is an inexpensive, low calorie source of protein and other important nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids.

What are the ingredients in tuna chunks? ›

Ingredients
  • Tuna [Fish],
  • Water,
  • Salt.

What is tuna pasta made of? ›

Canned tuna is tossed with chopped tomatoes, olives, red onions, capers, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice, and then tossed again with hot fusilli pasta and shredded mozzarella cheese. The hot pasta melts the cheese into the tuna mixture.

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